Steam power plant



Dec. 8, 1931.

C. B. PAGE STEAM POWER PLANT Filed May 2, 1928 1710821157" Charles .B P 6 W i134 Patented Dec. 8, 1931 2 CHARLES B. PAGE, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE G. W. DULANY TRUST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A.C0M1VION LAW TRUST STEAM rowan PLANT 1 Application filed m 2, 1928. Serial No. 274,427.

The present invention relates to improvements in steam power plants, particularly power plants adapted for heavy duty, as in automotive vehicles, rail' cars and locomotives. l

A general object of the invention resides in the provision of a-novel steam power plant which is eflicient and economical in operation, which has a high as well as a flexible power capacity, and which is adapted to many and varied applications or uses.

Another object'resides in the provision in v a power plant comprising a generator of a steam separator connected to the discharge of the generator and having a trap for remov ing the liquid collecting in'the separatonj" A further object resides in the provision of a power plant of the foregoing character 7 inwhich a steam storage device is connected. 7

to the discharge of the trap.

Another object resides inthe' provision of a power plant of the foregoing character in which the separatoris interposed between two units of a steam generator.

An important object resides in the provision of a steam power plant comprising a primary steam generator or superheater, a steam storage device, and asecondary superheater for receiving steam from either or both of said primary superheater or generator and said steam StOIflgQdQVlCG.

Still another object resides in the provision in combination with a generator, at primary superheater, and a steam accumulator connected to the discharge end of the primarysuperheater of a steam separator interposed between the generator'and the primary superheater with a steam-trap openingto theaccumulator," the pressure drop in the primary superheater being such thatQtheipreisa sure in the separator is'higher than the pressure in the accumulator. I p

A further objectresides in; the provision of a steam power plant comprising primary and secondary superheaters connected in series, a steam supply line including a throttle valve connected to the discharge end of the secondary superheater, an accumulator, a line connecting the dischargeendofthe pri:

mary superheater and the inlet end 'ofthe secondary superheater to the accumulator,

said line havinga branch opening to the water space of the accumulator and a branch opening to the steamspace including "a, valve operatively connected to the valve in the steam supply line to open first and to close last as the last mentioned valve is opened and closed. 7

Another object resides inthe provision of thermostatically controlledmeans for admitting saturated steam fromtheaccumulator to the steam supply line Whenthe steam inthe latter is at a temperature above a predetermined'poinh I i come apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying'drawing, the figure is adiagrammatic representation of a power plant embodying the features of'my in-vention. 7 v s While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative construetions ,'-I have shown in. the drawing and will herein describe in bodiment, but it is to be understood that'I do not thereby intend to limit the invention urther objects and advantages be detail the preferred emand alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. g V I p Referring more particularly to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustratedin the drawing, lOrepresents a steam generator which may be of any suitable type, and which in the present instance comprises a suitable coil.

. Theinlet end 'of the coil 10 is connected through a suitable teed waterline 11 to an accumulator 12 which may-be of anyjsuitable form, and which in the present instance I comprises a cylindrical drumadapted to contain a substantial body of water. The line 11 opens to the underside of the acctunulator12 and henc ebelow the water level, and is adapted toconvey'water from the accumulator as feed water to the generator coil 10; To obtainv a positive feed, a ifeedwater pump 18 is interposed in the line 11; This pump may be drivenby any suitable means, and in the the line 20 to the. accumulator to add heat to present instance is connected to the suitable prime mover, such as a steam engine 14;.

The discharge end oi' the generator coil 10' provided for .supply lg (not shown) may be fuehsuch as fuel oil,

and combustion air to means ,(not shown) torheating the coils 10, 17 {and 18. Breferably, the coilsa-re arranged in superimposed relation in the path of the products of combustion, the coil 18 being disposed in a relatively cool zone p The pump 13 provides a forced circulation, and since the pressure in the generator coil is but slightly higher than that in the accumulator 12 due to frictional resistance in the coil, it does not operate against the, full pressure in the coil but merely against'the frictional head. Preferably the supply of feed water to the coil 10 is regulated in such a manner that a mixture of steam and water is delivecd'to the separator, thereby preventing the deposit of: water soluble'salts in the coil. \Vhen the gauge 15 and the therinometer 16 indicate. that superheated steam isbeing discharged to the separator the be mcreasedto ncrease. the supply of feed water, or the fire may be reduced.

interposed between the generator coil .10

and the primary superheater 17' is a suitable steam separator 19. which preferably is connected through, a iine. 20 to the accumulator 12.- interposed in the line 20. is a suitable steam trap 21 for preventing steam from escaping from the separator 19 through the line 2O. Preferably, the line 20. opens to. a spray 22 in the steam spaceof the accumulator 12. The. construction of the primary superheater 17 has a pressure drop such that the pressure in the separator 19 is higher than the ac-v cumulator pressure, As a result, water collecting in theseparator 19 is removed through the. latter-..

Any snitable means may be. provided for replenishing the feed water supply. In the present nstance, feed water may be supplied to the accumulator 12, and to this end'a suitable spray 23. disposed in av dome 2 L on the accumulator is connected tirough .a feed water. supply line 25 to a suitable storage. tank 26, Preferably, the water in the tank 26-is softened, as by treatment with Zeolites so from the secondary superheater 18 may also be supplied to various auxiliary steam consume'r's, such as the engine 14 and a headlightturboegenerator 83 through a line 34 connected to the line 80 by a suitable valve 35. The supply of steam from the line 34 to the engine 1i and the turbo-generator 33 is controlled respectively by valves 36 and 37. Steam from the accumulator. 12 may be supplied through a line 38 controlled by a suitable valve 39. to other auxiliaries, such as an air compressor 40. The prime movers 14, 32, 33,. and d0. preferably exhaust into a common exhaust line 41 opening through a suitable exhaustjhead 42 to the atmosphere.

The accumulator 12' serves toabsorh heat generated in excess of the demand, and to nal e up any deficiency in the supply of steam. To this end, the line 18 has a branch open ing througha check valve es in the accumulator 12 below the normal level of the liquid, the check valve preventing a back flow from the accumulator, The line 1S also has a branclropening through a valve t l toa do nedd on the accumulator. This valve is operatively connected to the valve 31 by suitable linkage. l6 which is operable to completely open the. valve-4A upon initial actuation of and before opening oi the valve 31, and to completely close the valve l i upon final actuation. and after closing of the valve 31 Means is provided for automatically connecting. the, steam space or; the. accumulator 12 to the line 34 when; thesteampassing therethrough is superheated in excess of a predetermined degree. T his. means comprises a line. a? in which is interposed a theriostatically controlled valve i8 responsive to temperatures. in the. line 84;.

The operation will now be briefly described, In starting the plant from a cold condition,

the accumulator is charged with steam from fire is reduced. in the separator 19 the water Y is collected and the saturated steam passes on to the primary superheater 17. The water collectingin the separator 19 passes through the steam trap 21 to the accumulator, thereby imparting its heat to the water in the latter. The steam from the primary super-. heater 1'? may pass either through the secondary superheater 18 to the main steam line 30 or throughthe line 18 to the accumulater 12. If the valve 44 is open, steam will enter the steam space of the accumulator. The auxiliaries 14 and 83 normally take enough steam to protect the secondary superheater 18 from being overheated. If the steam leaving the secondary superheaterlS is too highly superheated for use inthe auxiliaries, saturated steam from the accumulator will be automatically mixed therewith to reduce the degree of superheat. If there is a deficiency in the steam supply, steam may pass through the valve 44 and the line 18 to'mingle with the steam fromthe primary superheater 17 passing to the secondary superheater 18. p

It will be evident that I have provided a simple, efiicient, economical steam power plant, and that the plant has a highly flexible power capacity. The soluble salts will collect in the accumulator 12 from where they can be removed.

I claim as myinvention;

1. A steam power plant having, incombination, an accumulator adapted to contain a body of water, a steam generator coil,.means' for supplying water from said accumulator to said generator coil, a superheater con nected to the discharge of said generator coil, a steam separator interposed between said generator coil and said superheater, a line including a steam trap connecting said separator to said accumulator, a line connecting the discharge end ot said superheater to said accumulator, and a check valve in said last mentioned line for preventing a return flow from said accumulator.

2. A steam power plant having, in combi nation, an accumulator adapted to contain steam and a body of water, a steam discharge line opening from said accumulator, a steam generator coil, means for supplying water from said accumulator to said generator coil,

a superheater connected to the discharge of said generator coil, a steam separator interposed between said generator coil and said superheater, a line including a steam trap for withdrawing water collecting in said separator, and a l1ne connecting the discharge end of said superheater to said accumulator.

8. A steam power plant having, in combi-,

nation, an accumulator adapted to contain a body of water, a steam generator coil, means for supplymg water from said accumulator to 1 said generator coil, a superheater connected steam separator interposed betweensaid generator coil and said superheater, a line including a 's'tea'm trap connectingsaid separator tosaid accumulator, a lineco'nnecting the discharge end of said superheater to said accumulator, and a check Valve insaid'last mentioned line for preventing'a return flow from-said accumulator, thepressure drop in said superheater being such thatthe pressure in said separator is'normallyin excess of the pressure insaidaccumulator a 4. Asteampower plant having in combinationfan accumulator adapted to contain a body 'ot'fjwater, 'a generator, a superheater connected to said generatonsaid superheater comprising afprimary section and a secondary section, a steam supply'line connected to the discharge end of said superheater, a valve iiier'nbe: in said line,alline connected to said superheater'between said sect-ions ,andhaving two branches opening to the accumulator respectively below and above the normal Water level, a check valve inthe first branch forpreventing a-back'flow from the accumulator, a valve in the other branch, and means for operatively connecting said last mentioned valve'with'said firstjmentionedvalve so that said last'mentioned val'vewill open first and will close last -,upon opening and closing said"firstnientioned-valve.' A steam power plant having, in combination,- an a'cc'umulaton adapted to contain a fbod'y' of Water, a gen'erater, 'a superheater connected to said generator, said superheater comprising a primary section and a'se'condary 'sectiomasteam supply'nne connected to the discharge end of said/superheater, afvalve ineinberfin said line, a-line connected to said superheater between said sectionsfland liavlngtwobranches opening to the accumulator respectively below and" above the'a r'iormal' generator, a superh'eater connected tosaid generator", said superheater comprising j two sections,a steam supply line connected to the discharge end of said superheater, a valve memberin said line, a 'steam'separatorfbeits tween said generator'andsaid superheater, a

line connectedto, said superheater-between said sections and having two branches open mg to the accumulator respectlvely below and above the normal water lever, and valves in said branch'lines for permitting a flow of steam from'said superheater to said accumu latjor below the, water level and to permit steam fromsaid-accumulator to flow to said superheaten.

A/steam power plant comprising, in combination, an accumulator adapted tocontain a body of w ater, a' steam generator, a superheater connectedto said generator, said superheater comprising a primary section and a'secondary section, a steam separator interposed between said superheater and said generator, means for transmitting water col-V lecting in said separator to said accumulator, a steam supply line connected to the discharge end of said csuperheater, a valve in said line, 15 a line'connectedfto-said superheater between said sections and having two branches opening to said accumulatorrespectively below and above thenormal water level, a check valve in the first, branch for preventing the back flow from the accumulator, a valve in theother branch, and means for operatively connecting said last-mentioned valve with said first-mentioned valve so that said lastlast upon opening and closing said first-men- V tioned valve; n J I V 8-.,A steam power plant comprising, in combination, anaccumulator adapted to'contain .steamand a :body of .water, a'steam' dis {39 charge lineopening fromrsaid accumulator,

' a generator, a superheater'connected to said generator, a; separator interposed. between saidgenerator (and said: superheater, means for-transmitting water, collecting in said 5:35 Separator to said accumulator, a steam supply 7 line connected to the dischargeend of said superheater,a line connected; to saidsteam supplyline and having two branches open-' ing to saidaccumulator. respectively below 59 and: above the normal water level, acheck valve inthefirst branch for preventing aback flow from' the accumulator, anda valve ,in theother jbranch; i

.9 A steam power plantcomprising, in 4 5 combination, an accumulator adapted to contain a body of; water, saidaccumulator having two stearo domes, a steam generator, means for supplyingfeed water from said accumulator to said generator, a superheatcr 59 connected'tosaid generator, a steam separator interposed 'betweensaid generator and said superheater, means for transmitting water collecting in said separator to said accumulator, a steam supply ;line. connected to the 5 5 discharge-endof said superheater, a line connecting said steam supply line to one dome of saidaccumulator, and meansfor admitting feed water to the other dome. v Intestimony whereof, I have hereunto 0 affixed .my signature.

- .-GHA RL'ES 13. PAGE.

4 nsaaeio mentioned valve will open first and will close Y i w 

